Senate Laments Abysmal Allocation to the Science and Technology Ministry

[FMSTNigeria]

The Senate committee on Science and Technology has decried the inadequate funding position of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, which it said will not help in the development of the nation.

Members of the Committee, led by its Chairman, Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice, made this observation today, when they visited the ministry as part of their oversight function.

Senator Boroffice, stressed the need for adequate funding of science and technology, as it's the practice all over the world. He, however, urged the ministry to develop a strategy to dialogue with the Presidency, Budget office, Senate and the Federal Ministry of finance on the funding issue, which had led to the crippling of most of the ministry's activities.

He suggested that the ministry should in future; first sit with the committee to discuss its budget proposals before submitting same for consideration. This, according to them, will facilitate easy passage.

In her response, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Rabi  Shuaibu Jimeta, agreed on the need for the management to sit with the Senate  Committee on science and technology and re-strategise for improve funding to the ministry and its parastatals.



Mrs Jimeta explained that the ministry had partnered with some Non- Governmental Organizations (NGO's) and International Development partners in the past, and would   explore ways on how to attract support for more funding.

She also pleaded with the committee to always draw the ministry's attention to any area it had fallen short of.

<font size="1">Via: Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) Nigeria</font>